Runthusiasts, a social running group in Abu Dhabi, recently celebrated its sixth anniversary. The group, founded by Filipino athlete Jayson Castillo, has grown from a small community of runners into a diverse and inclusive fitness group that welcomes runners of all levels. Castillo shared his journey and insights in a recent interview with The Global Filipino Magazine.
Castillo started Runthusiasts in 2016 after the dissolution of a previous coaching arrangement.
“We used to have a running coach, and we had grown this community in Abu Dhabi for a year. When the coaching ended in 2017, we had to take it upon ourselves to keep the community active,” he explained.
This led him to become a certified coach to better guide the diverse group of runners.
“Leading the community in the absence of a coach was a calling,” he added.
Inclusivity and motivation
Runthusiasts is known for its welcoming environment.
“We tailor our program to accommodate different fitness levels,” Castillo said.
He makes it a point to run with beginners, offering tips and advice, while advanced runners follow their own programs and help uplift newcomers.
The group’s journey has been marked by several memorable moments.
“Our very first official run event was in HATTA, where we had our first logo and shirt design,” Castillo reminisced.
Over the years, the group has expanded to include various fitness activities such as Athletics Track & Field, Obstacle Course Racing (OCR), Functional Fitness, and more. Members also participate in triathlons and dragon boat paddling.
As a Filipino leading a diverse group, Castillo emphasizes mutual respect.
“Our values focus on mutual respect, good vibes, and positivity. As a coach, I strive to be a role model, which has helped forge strong bonds within the community,” he said.
Organizing and maintaining Runthusiasts has not been without challenges.
“Time availability and location are always a challenge,” Castillo noted.
The group addresses this by making scheduling decisions collectively through polls, ensuring that everyone is accountable and motivated.
Evolving running culture in Abu Dhabi
Runthusiasts has played a significant role in the evolving running culture in Abu Dhabi. The group has enhanced its training programs to include interval runs, speed endurance, and long runs, leading to improved performance in public events.
“We are recognized by other running communities and event organizers,” Castillo said.
Looking ahead, Runthusiasts has several events planned. These include their annual Run event, OCR event, Athletics event, Sports event, Team Building event, Summertide virtual challenge, and a year-end gathering.
“Our year-end gathering is a BBQ picnic where we reminisce about our year’s achievements with fun activities,” Castillo shared.
For those looking to start their own fitness group, Castillo offers this advice: “You should have the passion for what you are diving into. Dedicate your time and effort, be first and on time to all sessions, and make sure you are having fun doing the things you love—for free, without expecting anything in return.”